Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Matthew Razak at 703-917-6457. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
The Society Youth Orchestra (SYO) offers music instruction in orchestra for low-income children and youth, ages 4-17. Classes, instruments and other materials are provided to the student at no charge. The only requirement is a genuine interest on the part of the child and permission from the parent or guardian. Call 703-728-2589 or e-mail info@ymppa.org or visit www.ymppa.org.
The Loudoun Academy of the Arts will hold a series of weekend art and photo workshops during the winter months:
* Sumi-e Painting with Nellie Chao, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 24 and 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost $140, includes all supplies.
* Painting Big! with Rick Steinberger. Four three-hour classes that can be arranged within your schedule. Cost $250, includes all materials.
The Loudoun Academy of the Arts, a nonprofit 501c3 organization, is located at 222 South King St. in Leesburg. Visit www.loudounacademy.org or call 703-777-8043.
Baby Signs Play Classes. Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering a new class for ages 6-24 months. Includes singing songs, learning signs and playing games. Class are Mondays, through Feb. 26, from 9:30-10:15 a.m. The cost is $55 with preregistration required. Parents also pay $77 for the Sign Say & Play Kit. This fee is paid to the instructor at class. Call 703-430-6673.
Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering computer classes for adults. All classes are on Thursday nights, from 7-8:30 p.m. Computers are provided. Classes are tailored for the novice. Preregistration is required, call 703-430-6673. Microsoft Powerpoint will be held March 1-8, cost is $59 plus $10. materials fee.
Blue Ridge Thunder Cloggers (BRTC) will offer beginner clogging lessons starting March 1. Clogging is a truly American dance form that began in the Appalachian Mountains and now enjoys widespread popularity throughout the United States and around the world. BRTC will offer clogging classes near Purcellville, in a converted barn at the intersection of Rts. 9 and 287. Classes will be offered for adults and children 10+ on Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. Cost is $25/person/month. Call 540-882-4917 or e-mail BRTCloggers@aol.com.
One of the most widely-used environmental education programs will be offered at Claude Moore Park in Sterling, Saturday, March 3, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. In this hands-on Project WILD and Project WILD Aquatic workshop, educators, Scout and youth leaders will explore methods for teaching students about wildlife and environmental issues through games, art and group activities. Includes the Project WILD and Project WILD Aquatic books, which provide background information and other resources, as well as a guide to the activities, designed for kindergarten through 12th-graders. Workshop is free. Registration is required, call 703-421-3125 or e-mail dodie.lewis@loudoun.gov.
The Loudoun County Office of Emergency Management is offering the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program.
The CERT class, which will begin March 6 and run through April 21, provides students with a realistic approach to preparing for and responding to large-scale emergencies and disaster situations. Classes will be held March 6, 13, 17, 20, 27 and April 3, 10, 21; weeknight classes 7-10 p.m., Saturday class 8 a.m.-4 p.m. All classes will be conducted at the Fire and Rescue Training Academy, 16600 Courage Court, Leesburg. To register, call 703-777-0333 or e-mail Cheryl.Warren@loudoun.gov.
The Loudoun County Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension will offer a Virginia Gardener Shortcourse. The Shortcourse is a condensed version of the training that Trainees who are new members of the Master Gardener Volunteer program receive. The Shortcourse is held in the Loudoun Cooperative Extension conference room at 30-B Catoctin Circle, SE (Wachovia Bank Building), Leesburg. The sessions are from 6-8:30 p.m. and are spread throughout the year. Dates for this year are: March 8, 22, April 12, July 9, 23, Aug. 6, Oct. 25, and Nov. 8. Participants may sign up for individual sessions or for all eight. Contact Debbie D. Dillion at 703-771-5838 or ddillion@vt.edu.
Learn the basics of cha-cha, a basic Latin dance born out of the Cuban mambo. Classes will be held at Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, with instructor Jason Conrad. This class will be held Mondays, through March 12, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The cost is $80 and preregistration is required. Call 703-430-6673.
Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering Whizkids computer classes for ages 8-12, Mondays, through April 2, from 11 a.m.-noon. Cost $149, plus $20 materials fee. Includes Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint and Microsoft Excel. Preregistration required, call 703-430-6673.
Gentle yoga at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, 21060 Whitfield Place, 6:30-7:45 p.m., Tuesdays, through March 27. $103.50 for members; $115.50 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
Wat Yarnna Rangsee in Sterling will be offering free meditation classes every Sunday. Inquire and register at the temple at 21950 Shaw Road, Sterling, 703-406-8290/2509.
Dance 'N Play is a total body fitness class for mom with toddler, with body toning, cardio bursts and dancing to popular children's music. Classes are on-going and meet every Thursday, from 9:30-10:15 a.m., at the Douglass Community Center gymnasium, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. Cost of the class is $40 for four sessions. Contact the Douglass Community Center, 703-771-5913.
Mommy and Me classes for ages 3 months to 2 years are now forming at Congregation Sha’are Shalom. Trial classes are available. Class information is available at www.jccnv.org. Contact Laurie Albert, JCCNV community engagement director at 703-537-3064 or LaurieA@jccnv.org.
The Douglass Community Center Child Care Program is accepting registration for new children. The program operates daily, from 7 a.m.-6:15 p.m., and serves children age 3 through prekindergarten, must be potty trained. Fees are $155 per week. Contact 703-771-5610 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
Dance 'N Play is a fitness class for mom with toddler, with body toning, cardio bursts and dancing to popular children's music. Classes are ongoing and meet every Thursday, from 9:30-10:15 a.m., at the Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg. Cost of the class is $40 for four sessions. Contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or at dcc@loudoun.gov.
On every first and third Tuesday of the month at 9 a.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., offers ESL basic computer skills needed for Internet, e-mail and word processing. Recommended for adult speakers of English as a second language. Limit 10 students per session. Register by calling 703-430-9500 V/TYY.